PROTECTING THE WORLD'S OCEANS

The World Ocean Conference (WOC) 2009 and Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) Summit week was the first large-scale international event to bring together both ocean and climate change stakeholders and specialists. The presentations and panel discussions held during WOC 2009 highlighted the central role of oceans in the climate change response, drew attention to the resulting challenges for oceans and small-island developing states (SIDSs), and called on all stakeholders led by governments and their development partners, nongovernment organizations, and the private sector to take immediate action to adapt to or mitigate the impacts of climate change. This publication is a summary of the major and recurring themes discussed during that week.